It's now that I've really gotten a grasp of how dangerous the whole space flight with the shuttle is.
Let's assume that there was no foam that hit the space shuttle during take-off (whether this is the cause or not is still being debated). Let's assume instead that a small space rock or a piece of space junk hit the space shuttle while in orbit (it happens and that the speed the space shuttle travels while in orbit can result in serious damage).
Well, if damage does occur to the craft and the craft isn't configured to go to the ISS, there is only a small chance and a big prayer then that the shuttle will survive the re-entry. That's the ultimate high-wire act without a safety net.
It's also disturbing to hear that. I can understand that there isn't much that can be done during the launch. I can also understand that there isn't much that can be done during re-entry. These are after all the two most critical (and dangerous) parts of the mission. But there should be a contingency plan if the shuttle gets damaged during low orbit.
Yes, this is written with tons of hindsight. Yes, a contingency plan that would involve reaching the ISS in a timely manner (and commensurate with the fuel the space shuttle has) would be a very difficult task. And yes, the shuttle in all these years didn't get hit too often.
I realize all that.
I'll be waiting anxiouly to see the results of the cause of the breakup of the space shuttle.
If it was damage to the shuttle that was the cause of the tragedy, I just hope that a contingency plan is eventually designed and put in place to give at least a chance for the future astronauts to survive any kind of damage to the space shuttle (if caught prior to re-entry, of course).
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It's now that I've really gotten a grasp of how dangerous the whole space flight with the shuttle is. Let's assume that there was no foam that hit the space shuttle during take-off (whether this is the cause or not is still being debated). Let's assume instead that a small space rock or a piece of space junk hit the space shuttle while in orbit (it happens and that the speed the space shuttle travels while in orbit can result in serious damage). Well, if damage does occur to the craft and the craft isn't configured to go to the ISS, there is only a small chance and a big prayer then that the shuttle will survive the re-entry. That's the ultimate high-wire act without a safety net. It's also disturbing to hear that. I can understand that there isn't much that can be done during the launch. I can also understand that there isn't much that can be done during re-entry. These are after all the two most critical (and dangerous) parts of the mission. But there should be a contingency plan if the shuttle gets damaged during low orbit. Yes, this is written with tons of hindsight. Yes, a contingency plan that would involve reaching the ISS in a timely manner (and commensurate with the fuel the space shuttle has) would be a very difficult task. And yes, the shuttle in all these years didn't get hit too often. I realize all that. I'll be waiting anxiouly to see the results of the cause of the breakup of the space shuttle. If it was damage to the shuttle that was the cause of the tragedy, I just hope that a contingency plan is eventually designed and put in place to give at least a chance for the future astronauts to survive any kind of damage to the space shuttle (if caught prior to re-entry, of course).